“Put a Finger Down” is a popular icebreaker or party game often played in social gatherings, classrooms, or online settings. Everyone starts with their hands up and puts a finger down whenever they agree to a statement. The objective of the game is to encourage participants to share common experiences, discover shared interests, and learn more about each other in a fun and interactive way.
We put together this list of 211 prompts and questions that will help get the conversation flowing!
What Are “Put A Finger Down” Questions?
The “Put a Finger Down” game is an icebreaker or conversation-starting game that includes prompts or questions to learn more about people in a group. Each question elicits a physical response (lowering a finger) to get to know a unique fact, opinion, or interesting story about the people present. These questions can be used in a variety of situations and with adults and children alike.
The objective of the game
The primary objective of the “put a finger down” game is to foster a sense of community and camaraderie among participants. There is no real winner. Rather the goal is to share personal experiences, interests, and commonalities. The game helps break down barriers, encourages conversation, and creates a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.
Additionally, the game promotes active listening skills, as participants need to pay attention to the statements to determine if they apply to them. Later, you may test your memory by approaching someone and asking them about a specific question they responded to.
For example, if you saw them put their finger down when the moderator said, “Put a finger down if you’ve gone skydiving,” you could start an intriguing conversation by asking, “What were the best and worst parts of your skydiving experience?
Who can play?
The game is flexible and can be adapted to various settings, making it a versatile icebreaker for different group dynamics and ages. You can use it as an adult party game, a work party or meeting icebreaker, a conversation starter for teens, or an icebreaker for kids. It’s particularly effective with larger groups who may not know each other well or at all.
How to Play: Step-by-Step Guide to Put a Finger Down Game
The game is remarkably simple and accessible to almost everybody. You don’t need any supplies except an area to sit and a list of questions.
#1 Setup
Gather all participants in a circle or arrange them in a group. In the workplace, this could typically be around a large meeting table. Or, if your team is remote, this can also be on a virtual call. The facilitator or host will be the one asking the questions and guiding the game.
#2 Instructions
The facilitator begins by explaining the rules of the game:
- Everyone holds both hands in front of them with their fingers pointing up.
- The moderator will say a series of statements starting with “Put a finger down if…” or “Put a finger down when…”
- If the statement applies to them or if they’ve experienced the described situation, participants put one finger down.
- The finger is folded down in their hand or placed down in front of them, symbolizing acknowledgment of the statement.
- Everyone should be able to see if someone puts a finger down so they can get to know them better.
It’s essential to clarify that participants shouldn’t touch or put their fingers down on another participant’s hand. Each individual is responsible for keeping track of their own fingers.
#3 Put your finger down if it applies
The facilitator continues asking various statements, and participants put their fingers down accordingly. When someone has put down all 10 fingers, they can stop participating.
The game typically goes on for a set number of rounds or until a predetermined number of questions have been asked. Optionally, you can add fun bonuses or prizes for “the last one standing” or the “first one out.”
#4 Repeat and discuss
After the game is over, the participants can engage in discussions or reflections on the commonalities or differences they discovered during the game. This helps in creating connections and conversations among the group. Try to remember others’ responses so you can bring them up later.
Pro Tip: Pair this game with a roundtable introduction. After everyone makes their intro, use their responses to the “put a finger down” questions as a trick to help you remember their name.
For example, if you notice Rebecca was the only person to put his finger down for the prompt “Put a finger down if you have run a marathon,” you can mentally log her name as Rebecca the Runner.
Pairing someone’s name with a memorable attribute or identifier is one of the quickest ways to recall their name later. Here is more on How to Remember Names with a Simple Trick that ALWAYS Works.
233 Best Put-a-Finger Down Questions
Once everyone understands the rules, it’s time to start reading questions that will teach you about the crowd. You can be super random or stay on a particular topic that you know everyone is interested in. Choose your question categories wisely, as they could directly impact the conversations you have later on!
Personal anecdote questions
Whether interacting with new coworkers or a group of friends, these prompts are quick and easy ways to get to know each other.
- Put a finger down if you play a musical instrument.
- Put a finger down if you have ever gotten a speeding ticket.
- Put a finger down if you have ever been scuba diving.
- Put a finger down if you have read more than 10 books in the past year.
- Put a finger down if you have a sibling.
- Put a finger down if you can play a musical instrument.
- Put a finger down if you have ever gone skydiving.
- Put a finger down if you have tried sushi.
- Put a finger down if you have ever won a contest.
- Put a finger down if you speak more than two languages.
- Put a finger down if you have gone bungee jumping.
- Put a finger down if you enjoy spicy food.
- Put a finger down if you have ever ridden a horse.
- Put a finger down if you have climbed a mountain.
- Put a finger down if you have been to a live concert.
- Put a finger down if you have a tattoo.
- Put a finger down if you have gone scuba diving.
- Put a finger down if you have ever met a celebrity.
- Put a finger down if you have been on a TV show.
- Put a finger down if you can swim.
- Put a finger down if you have tried bobsledding.
- Put a finger down if you have gone zip-lining.
- Put a finger down if you enjoy camping.
- Put a finger down if you have ridden a roller coaster.
- Put a finger down if you have gone snorkeling.
- Put a finger down if you have been on a cruise.
- Put a finger down if you have been in a hot air balloon.
- Put a finger down if you have run a marathon.
- Put a finger down if you have volunteered for a charity.
- Put a finger down if you have ever broken a bone.
- Put a finger down if you have been in a helicopter.
- Put a finger down if you have been to an escape room.
- Put a finger down if you have a fear of heights.
- Put a finger down if you have gone surfing.
- Put a finger down if you have visited a haunted house.
- Put a finger down if you have been on a safari.
- Put a finger down if you have gone snowboarding.
- Put a finger down if you have tried rock climbing.
- Put a finger down if you have been to a music festival.
- Put a finger down if you have seen a Broadway show.
- Put a finger down if you have gone whitewater rafting.
- Put a finger down if you have tried karaoke.
- Put a finger down if you have gone ice skating.
- Put a finger down if you have ridden a jet ski.
- Put a finger down if you have visited a castle.
- Put a finger down if you have gone deep-sea fishing.
- Put a finger down if you have gone parasailing.
- Put a finger down if you have been to a major sports event.
- Put a finger down if you have tried a new type of cuisine this year.
- Put a finger down if you have attended a music concert in the past month.
- Put a finger down if you have tried a thrilling amusement park ride.
- Put a finger down if you have watched a full season of a TV show in one day.
- Put a finger down if you have ever tried an extreme sport like skydiving or bungee jumping.
To truly “win” at this game, remember a few details about someone in the group that you want to talk to later. If you feel nervous about starting conversations, here is a free goodie we created to help you level up your conversation skills in any setting.
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Professional and workplace questions
Here are some intriguing and funny ways to get to know your coworkers, their work style, and how to better connect in the workplace.
- Put your finger down if you always arrive at work on time.
- Put your finger down if you completed a professional development course last year.
- Put your finger down if you regularly participate in team meetings and contribute valuable insights.
- Put your finger down if you have received positive feedback from clients or colleagues in the past month.
- Put your finger down if you take the initiative to solve problems without always relying on your supervisor.
- Put your finger down if you actively seek feedback from others to improve your professional skills.
- Put your finger down if you consistently meet or exceed your performance goals.
- Put your finger down if you have mentored or coached a colleague to help them improve their performance.
- Put your finger down if you maintain a neat and organized workspace.
- Put your finger down if you prefer to work remotely.
- Put your finger down if you miss interacting with people in the office.
- Put your finger down if you regularly update your knowledge and skills related to your industry.
- Put your finger down if you have received recognition or awards for your work performance.
- Put your finger down if you actively participate in company-wide initiatives or volunteer activities.
- Put your finger down if you consistently demonstrate a positive attitude, even during challenging times.
- Put your finger down if you actively seek solutions to enhance workplace efficiency.
- Put your finger down if you effectively manage your time and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines.
- Put your finger down if you have presented ideas or projects to senior management.
- Put your finger down if you collaborate well with colleagues from different departments or teams.
- Put your finger down if you maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with care.
- Put your finger down if you have successfully resolved conflicts with colleagues in a professional manner.
- Put your finger down if you actively engage in building a positive and inclusive work culture.
These questions can be used in team-building exercises or discussions to encourage employees to reflect on their workplace behaviors and professional development.
Questions about travel
Spark intriguing conversations about global destinations you’ve visited or want to visit. If you notice someone put their finger down after a similar travel prompt, be sure to ask them about the experience later. You may even get a new vacation idea!
- Put a finger down if you have been to more than five countries.
- Put a finger down if you have gone on a cruise in the Caribbean.
- Put a finger down if you have gone camping in the wilderness.
- Put a finger down if you have seen the Eiffel Tower in person.
- Put a finger down if you have ever been on a spontaneous road trip.
- Put a finger down if you have gone snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef.
- Put a finger down if you have seen the Grand Canyon.
- Put a finger down if you have seen the Northern Lights.
- Put a finger down if you have ever traveled to Europe.
- Put a finger down if you have traveled to another country.
- Put a finger down if you have visited at least three continents.
- Put a finger down if you have ever swam with dolphins.
- Put a finger down if you have taken a spontaneous trip to another city.
- Put a finger down if you have gone on a safari in Africa.
- Put a finger down if you have gone on a cruise in the Mediterranean.
- Put a finger down if you have tried authentic street food in a foreign country.
- Put a finger down if you have been on a cruise through the Norwegian fjords.
- Put a finger down if you have watched a sunrise from a mountaintop.
- Put a finger down if you have had food poisoning in a foreign country.
- Put a finger down if you have seen the Great Wall of China.
- Put a finger down if you have taken a road trip along the Pacific Coast Highway.
- Put a finger down if you have visited a famous natural wonder like Niagara Falls.
- Put a finger down if you have tried skiing in the Swiss Alps.
Trivia questions
Turn this icebreaker into a trivia game to test the group’s knowledge of pop culture and history. You can share a good laugh when someone mixes up their answer. You might even learn something new!
- Put a finger down if you can name all four members of The Beatles.
- Put a finger down if you know which planet is known as the “Red Planet.”
- Put a finger down if you can name the largest ocean on Earth.
- Put a finger down if you know the main ingredient in guacamole.
- Put a finger down if you can name three primary colors.
- Put a finger down if you know the chemical symbol for water.
- Put a finger down if you can name the author of “Romeo and Juliet.”
- Put a finger down if you know which country is known for the Great Barrier Reef.
- Put a finger down if you can name the first man to walk on the moon.
- Put a finger down if you know how many continents there are on Earth.
- Put a finger down if you can name the largest mammal in the world.
- Put a finger down if you know the capital of France.
- Put a finger down if you can name the seven dwarfs from “Snow White.”
- Put a finger down if you know who painted the “Mona Lisa.”
- Put a finger down if you can name the four Hogwarts houses in Harry Potter.
- Put a finger down if you know which element makes up the majority of the Earth’s atmosphere.
- Put a finger down if you can name the tallest mountain in the world.
- Put a finger down if you know what language is spoken in Brazil.
- Put a finger down if you can name the five senses.
- Put a finger down if you know the chemical symbol for gold.
- Put a finger down if you can name the first U.S. President.
- Put a finger down if you know which animal is known as the “king of the jungle.”
- Put a finger down if you can name the author of the “Harry Potter” series.
- Put a finger down if you know what year the Titanic sank.
- Put a finger down if you can name the four cardinal directions.
- Put a finger down if you know what gas plants use to convert sunlight into energy.
- Put a finger down if you can name the largest desert in the world.
- Put a finger down if you know the formula for calculating the area of a triangle.
- Put a finger down if you can name the three primary colors of light.
- Put a finger down if you know what “www” stands for in a website address.
- Put a finger down if you can name the composer of the “Fur Elise” piano piece.
- Put a finger down if you know which planet is known as the “Morning Star” or “Evening Star.”
- Put a finger down if you can name the scientist who discovered gravity.
- Put a finger down if you know what the “D” in “DVD” stands for.
- Put a finger down if you can name the author of “The Great Gatsby.”
- Put a finger down if you know the chemical symbol for oxygen.
- Put a finger down if you can name the largest species of penguin.
- Put a finger down if you know which continent is the most populous.
- Put a finger down if you can name the three branches of the U.S. government.
- Put a finger down if you know the capital of Japan.
- Put a finger down if you can name the planet closest to the sun.
- Put a finger down if you know which famous scientist developed the theory of relativity.
- Put a finger down if you can name the painting with a woman’s enigmatic smile.
- Put a finger down if you know the chemical symbol for carbon.
- Put a finger down if you can name the author of “To Kill a Mockingbird.”
- Put a finger down if you know the tallest mammal in the world.
- Put a finger down if you can name the three primary colors of pigments.
- Put a finger down if you know what gas humans breathe out.
- Put a finger down if you can name the tallest building in the world.
- Put a finger down if you know which gas makes the air smell like the ocean.
Don’t miss these 287 BEST Trivia Questions To Play For An Amazing Game Night.
Funny put your finger down questions
Humor is proven to help people bond1https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/humr.2005.18.1.1/html! Share some lighthearted chuckles by asking who has had these silly or slightly embarrassing experiences. Just be sure not to insult anyone or bring up an inappropriate topic like politics, religion, or sexuality.
- Put your finger down if you’ve ever worn something ridiculous during a Zoom call.
- Put your finger down if you’ve ever tried to sneak out of the house and got caught.
- Put your finger down if you’ve ever laughed so hard that you snorted.
- Put your finger down if you’ve ever called someone the wrong name in public.
- Put your finger down if you’ve ever tripped while walking up the stairs.
- Put your finger down if you’ve ever taken a selfie and accidentally made a funny face.
- Put your finger down if you’ve ever tried to flirt with someone, and it totally backfired.
- Put your finger down if you’ve ever had a hilarious autocorrect fail in a text message.
- Put your finger down if you’ve ever been caught talking to yourself.
- Put your finger down if you’ve ever had a funny voice crack during an important speech or presentation.
- Put your finger down if you’ve ever had a wardrobe malfunction in public.
- Put your finger down if you’ve ever laughed at a joke, but you didn’t actually get it.
- Put your finger down if you’ve ever walked into a glass door thinking it was open.
- Put your finger down if you’ve ever had a funny nickname you didn’t like at first but grew to embrace.
- Put your finger down if you’ve ever had an inside joke with your best friend that doesn’t make sense to anyone else.
- Put your finger down if you’ve ever tried to do a TikTok or Instagram dance and failed spectacularly.
- Put your finger down if you’ve ever embarrassed yourself singing karaoke.
- Put your finger down if you’ve ever accidentally liked a really old photo while stalking someone on social media.
- Put your finger down if you’ve gone skinny dipping.
- Put your finger down if you’ve ever had to stifle laughter during a serious moment.
- Put your finger down if you’ve ever tried to recreate a trendy DIY project and ended up with a hilarious fail.
- Put your finger down if you’ve ever tried to speak in a foreign accent and sounded ridiculous.
- Put your finger down if you’ve ever had a hilarious auto-correct fail in a professional email.
- Put your finger down if you’ve ever tried a beauty hack, and it went terribly wrong.
- Put your finger down if you’ve ever laughed at a movie scene that wasn’t meant to be funny.
- Put your finger down if you’ve ever had planned a secret prank on your girlfriend or boyfriend.
- Put your finger down if you’ve ever sent a racy text message to the wrong person.
- Put your finger down if you’ve ever accidentally walked into the wrong restroom.
- Put your finger down if you’ve ever had your pants accidentally ripped in a public place.
- Put your finger down if you’ve ever had a piece of food stuck in your teeth during an important conversation.
- Put your finger down if you’ve ever waved at someone, thinking they were waving at you, but they weren’t.
- Put your finger down if you’ve ever had an awkward encounter with a crush or someone you admire.
- Put your finger down if you’ve ever accidentally walked into a pole while texting or scrolling on your phone.
- Put your finger down if you’ve ever tried to take a sip of a hot beverage, thinking it was cold, and ended up with a surprised expression.
- Put your finger down if you’ve ever laughed so hard at a meme that you had to take a moment to compose yourself.
Questions for kids
Keep it PG with these fun questions for children. Remember, children’s games should be engaging, light-hearted, and age-appropriate. Use a fun voice or animated facial expressions to make it more enjoyable for the little ones! Later, you can challenge them to recall a fun fact about their new friends.
- Put your finger down if you have ever had a pet fish.
- Put your finger down if you love eating ice cream with cake.
- Put your finger down if you have a favorite stuffed animal.
- Put your finger down if your dog has eaten your homework.
- Put your finger down if you have ever ridden a carousel.
- Put your finger down if you enjoy playing hide-and-seek.
- Put your finger down if you have ever made a sandcastle at the beach.
- Put your finger down if you love dancing to your favorite song.
- Put your finger down if you have a special blanket or toy you sleep with.
- Put your finger down if you enjoy playing with bubbles.
- Put your finger down if you have ever had a birthday party.
- Put your finger down if you like going on swings at the park.
- Put your finger down if you are afraid of ghosts.
- Put your finger down if you have ever had a picnic in the park.
- Put your finger down if you love drawing with colorful crayons.
- Put your finger down if you enjoy playing with building blocks.
- Put your finger down if you have ever flown a kite.
- Put your finger down if you like watching cartoons on TV.
- Put your finger down if you have ever seen a rainbow.
- Put your finger down if you love cuddling with your parents.
- Put your finger down if you have ever been on a train ride.
- Put your finger down if you enjoy playing with playdough.
- Put your finger down if you have a favorite bedtime story.
- Put your finger down if you like blowing bubbles with a straw in your milk.
- Put your finger down if you have ever seen a shooting star.
- Put your finger down if you love going to the zoo.
- Put your finger down if you enjoy playing with toy cars.
- Put your finger down if you have ever picked flowers in a garden.
- Put your finger down if you like having a tea party with your toys.
- Put your finger down if you have a favorite color.
- Put your finger down if you enjoy playing with a hula hoop.
- Put your finger down if you have ever had a piggy bank.
- Put your finger down if you love playing with bubbles in the bathtub.
- Put your finger down if you have a favorite dinosaur.
- Put your finger down if you have ever tried to catch a butterfly.
- Put your finger down if you enjoy playing with a jump rope.
- Put your finger down if you have ever made a drawing for someone you love.
- Put your finger down if you like playing dress-up with costumes.
- Put your finger down if you have ever been to a zoo.
- Put your finger down if you have gone to the principal’s office.
- Put your finger down if you have ever had a sleepover with friends.
- Put your finger down if you love eating pizza.
- Put your finger down if you have ever been on a carousel ride.
- Put your finger down if you enjoy playing with bubbles in the bath.
- Put your finger down if you have a favorite fairy tale.
- Put your finger down if you love playing with a frisbee.
- Put your finger down if you have ever planted a flower or a tree.
- Put your finger down if you enjoy going to the playground.
- Put your finger down if you have ever had a pretend tea party.
- Put your finger down if you like giving hugs to your friends and family.
Key Takeaways: Make the Most of This Icebreaker Game By Remembering Responses
“Put Your Finger Down” is ultimately a test of your listening and memory skills. This fun game can help start lots of interesting conversations as long as you remember who puts their finger down to which prompts. Better yet, use people’s responses as cues to help you remember their names and faces.
Want more? Here are 301 Best Never Have I Ever Questions For ANY Situation.
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